Cardiac bypass surgery is an operation whose goal is to treat diseases of the coronary arteries that supply oxygen to the heart muscle . As a result of exposure to atherosclerosis, they can become denser and clogged. This type of surgical intervention is aimed at creating the so-called bypass path of blood flow, which will go around an artery with stagnation. The patient’s veins taken from other parts of the body are used as a donor.
Cardiac bypass surgery: indications
This operation is assigned in the following cases:
- cardiovascular failure is observed, the occurrence of which is a consequence of coronary heart disease (hypoxia of the heart muscle and narrowing of the coronary vessels);
- atherosclerosis of blood vessels of various locations;
- the presence of arterial aneurysm disease - both as a treatment and as a preventative measure.
Cardiac bypass surgery: operation
This surgery has several methods:
- Traditional surgery. With this method of conducting an operation, cardiac arrest is performed, and the patient is connected to a ventilator and cardiopulmonary bypass, which replaces the lungs and heart for a while, while the surgeon performs bypass surgery. Sometimes a special device that supports cardiac activity is used.
- Invasive bypass technique. All manipulations of the surgeon are performed through small incisions on the surface of the chest. The necessary instruments are inserted into the intercostal space. This intervention also requires cardiac arrest and patient connection to the ventilator and cardiopulmonary bypass. This method is not for everyone. It is contraindicated in people who have previously undergone heart surgery.
The benefits of a minimally invasive heart bypass technique are obvious:
- minimal blood loss;
- the lowest risk of penetration into an open wound of infection;
- inconspicuous postoperative scars;
- short rehabilitation period;
- minimal trauma.
After operation
Bypassing of the blood vessels of the heart is a very difficult surgical intervention, therefore, after it is carried out, the patient is monitored round-the-clock by both medical staff and using special telemetry equipment. After about two days, the artificial respiration apparatus is turned off . After another day, the system that monitors the vital organs of the patient turns off. The total patient stay in the hospital is about 7-10 days. After discharge home, the patient is still outpatient for 10-12 days.
Cardiac bypass surgery: possible complications
Sometimes this operation can have some complications:
- heavy bleeding;
- penetration of infection into the wound;
- blockage of the vessel.
Heart bypass surgery: cost
The cost of performing this operation in different cities of Russia ranges from 65,000 to 400,000 rubles. If we talk about the cost of shunting abroad, then this figure there reaches 35,000-40,000 dollars.